Candice Seawright Teaching Language Arts to Children Dr.

Li April 18, 2014 Language Arts Materials Inventory Report While observing Mrs. Berrys 5th grade English Language Arts Class I noticed a lot of her Language Arts materials. Mrs. Berry does not prefer to use the Basal. I do know that many teachers do use the Basal to help their students learn, but she feels comfortable using other tools to increase learning in the classroom. Instead she prefers to use a lot of online lessons and you tube videos. The online lesson plans are adjusted to the content and curriculum that she is teaching. Also, she receives creative and great hands on activities to incorporate during her lesson. This seems to be helping the students learn a lot better than direct teaching. They love to in collaborative groups and participating in oral discussion. She prefers to use lessons she may find online rather than the textbook. Even though she does not have a problem with using books to help her students learn she prefers to use other creative resources. I also noticed three teaching books that Mrs. Berry incorporates in the classroom while teaching. One is the Crosswalk Coach for the Common Core State Standards. This book combines the latest standards with the newly implemented Common Core Standards. This is to promote greater student achievement in the classroom. Students in the classroom seem to understand the book with very few complications. It takes them through step-by-step procedures to understanding fifth grade Language Arts. She also uses a book titled, Editing and Revising 3 Teacher Edition. This helps students with the writing portion of the PASS test that is approaching very soon at Brookdale. Mrs. Berrys class is in the process of writing five paragraph essays. This book has a wonderful writing outline that the students can follow. From the beginning of the school year until the beginning of February Mrs. Berry has been guiding each student in class by writing a paragraph on the board as a guide. She would do the introduction, the three body paragraphs and then the conclusion. Now the students must try to write a full five paragraph essay on their own. I have noticed that a portion of the class is still struggling with writing a five-paragraph essay. With a little more help I am sure they will exceed past expectations. The Editing and Revising for students helps them out tremendously with their writing. Especially while writing paragraphs. They have to learn how to self correct while taking the PASS testing especially because teachers are not able to help students while testing. Last, Mrs. Berry uses many books from the American Reading Company. These books help build student reading level. Every morning from 7:45am to 8:15am, every student at Brookdale has to participate in sustained reading. After they read, they have to take the accelerated reading test that is provided on the computer. The American Reading Company requires students to receive steps for every 15 minutes they read. In order to receive these points, teachers have to conference with the student and ask them what they have read. These questions include the setting, point of view, and a summary of the book. I think this is a great program for the students to increase their reading level.